questions about diving in Egypt/Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand

[k374]

I have been reading about the Similan islands in Thailand, Sipadan (near Borneo) and Sharm el sheik/Dahab in the Red Sea. Now, my question is this. I have heard/read that some of these sites have strong currents and are suitable only for more experienced divers.

From experience I know that some dive ops do not accurately represent the true difficulty of a particular site because they don't want to lose a customer...so I post this question here. For a novice diver how difficult is it to dive the above sites? What are the general conditions like in the months Oct-Jan/Feb.

 

[DeputyDan]

Rule of thumb if you are not sure

Large pelagic diving = cold/colder water and strong/stronger currents

Macro/ reef diving = warm/warmer water less/little currents

This is not always the case but is close enough to true to let you read between the lines when looking at dive propaganda

 

[itempleton]

Dahab: I don't remember any currents but that may be because I was a complete novice and wasn't taken to any sites with current.

Similans: On a 4 day liveaboard there were 1-2 times with strong current where it was possible to swim against the current for short spurts but mostly we crawled hand-over-hand across the rocks. On most dives there was little to no current.

Sipadan: At one point I was watching the barracuda and through my own ineptitude ended up in the center of a current that I couldn't swim against. I tried to swim across the current but ended up having to surface. As with the Similans strong current was the exception rather than the rule.

In my opinion as long as you are comfortable in the water (establish neutral buoyancy, don't flail about with your arms, etc) you'll be fine. I didn't dive much in Dabab and it was a long time ago so I don't remember it that well but the Similans and Sipadan have really nice diving.

 

[ScubaduoAdventures]

We do not think you will have a whole lot of trouble with the specific destinations you have mentioned. Just as long as you are comfortable in general in the water.
Though we will not say that you will not experience any current at these dive locations they are not generally known for it and you will probably do some drift diving anyway.
Oct. is rainy season for Sipidan but we have been there during that same time and still thought it was incredible.
To do some of the great dive sites in the world you will need to get use to diving in some currents and these locations are a good place to start, please do let your dive guides know if you think you will need a little more assistance with a particular dive and have fun

 

[k374]

excellent, thank you all.

 

[Scuba Dive Asia]

During the months you mentioned the Similan Islands are usually as flat as a pancake. Of course there can be occasional strong currents. Reliable and knowledgeable operators will always check on the currents before going on a dive. December, January and February are the best and easiest months. For more info check this Scuba Dive Asia - Thailand Dive Info. Have fun!

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi There,

I think I would start with Similan Islands and the fabulous northern sites (November to April for the best conditions) probably being subject to the least currents. Also, do your Advanced Open Water course during the trip as you really need to dive deeper than 18 meters - its cheaper on the liveaboards. Most Similan trips have a lower diver to guide ratio too.

Red Sea has rules covering most dive sites which are governed by Egyptian law - some sites need 50 logged dives - so you would need to check which trips would suit your experience (keep logging your dives too ).

Sipadan dives are subject to moderate to strong currents depending but great for big fish, turtles, barracudas and trevaillies... Mabul/Kapalai great for macros.

If you are worried about currents you could do your drift dive speciality.

 

[vladimir]

Also, do your Advanced Open Water course during the trip as you really need to dive deeper than 18 meters - its cheaper on the liveaboards.

Could you tell us which liveaboards restrict OW divers to 18 meters or shallower? I do not have my AOW and I'd hate to get on the wrong liveaboard.

If you are worried about currents you could do your drift dive speciality.

What specific skills do you teach, or did you learn, in your drift dive specialty? I have managed thus far without it--I just descend and try not to bump into the environment. Occasionally I hug the bottom or hide behind a coral head. Is there more to it than that?

I have been reading about the Similan islands in Thailand, Sipadan (near Borneo) and Sharm el sheik/Dahab in the Red Sea. Now, my question is this. I have heard/read that some of these sites have strong currents and are suitable only for more experienced divers.

From experience I know that some dive ops do not accurately represent the true difficulty of a particular site because they don't want to lose a customer...so I post this question here. For a novice diver how difficult is it to dive the above sites?

I have not been to Dahab. The Similans and Sipadan are easily manageable for a novice diver who is comfortable in the water.

 

[k374]

Great info, since I will be a solo diver at these destinations is it just a "join the rest of the group" format like it is in Cozumel? Are there any buddy requirements?

 

[k374]

This seems like an interesting read regarding permits to dive in Sipadan.. I especially read with concern on the following descriptions in the article:

http://www.undercurrent.org/UCnow/articles/SipadanDivePermit200901.shtml

Patty Shales (Los Angeles, CA), who dived Sipadan and Mabul in November, says it’s not the divers affecting the ecosystem, it’s the fishermen. “On every dive, we were terrified by one or two loud bursts of dynamite. Having visited the area last January, I noticed a big decrease in the numbers of fish. Certain species have all but disappeared, including the clown frogfish, the ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish and many nudibranchs. The reefs lack the fresh vibrant colors; they seem dead and covered with sand.”


this is unfortunate, seems to be an environmental theme these days...